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Howard County police warn of mailbox check thefts

Police in Howard County are warning residents to be cautious after several incidents have been reported in which checks have been stolen out of people's mailboxes.

Seven incidents have been reported since October, with the most recent case being Monday in Laurel, police said.

In all of the cases, the perpetrator looked for mailboxes with the red flag up and then took checks out of the boxes, altering the payee's information and then cashing the checks. The incidents have been reported in Laurel and Clarksville.

Authorities are not saying how the checks are being altered, but security expert Bill Sieglien said he suspects they're using what's called check washing.

"They're probably using very rudimentary measures -- chemicals they can probably buy at any store. If you go online tonight and do a Google search, you'll find out how to erase ink off of a check and write your own name in there. It's not that sophisticated," Sieglien said. "The banks are little culpable here. I think they should be inspecting checks a little better. You can kind of tell when a check's been rewritten."

Officials said in some cases, outgoing mail was found strewn around the neighborhood, with envelopes appearing to have been opened and taped closed after the check was removed. Police are encouraging people to mail items that have checks in them at the local post office or in the big blue mailboxes that the post office has stationed throughout town.

If you don't receive a check or other valuable mail you're expecting, contact the issuing agency immediately.

Have your local post office hold your mail while you're on vacation.

If you change your address, immediately notify your post office and anyone with whom you do business via the mail.

Exchange work and vacation schedules with trusted friends and neighbors, so you can watch each other's mailboxes (as well as homes).

If you believe your mail was stolen, report it immediately to Howard County police at 410-313-3700 or the U.S. Postal Inspection Service at 202-636-1514.

"I've never heard of this, so I'll definitely be more careful now and I'll definitely think twice before sending a check," said Doug Scheckelhoff, who lives at the home where the latest incident occurred.

Anyone with a tip on the mail thefts can give an anonymous tip through the free smartphone app iWatchHowardCounty.

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